The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-03-24

Keep her steady Will, with her head
to the swell for just five minutes. I've
. little matter of very important bus
that 1 want to talk over with
Ailsa."
But as he rose to change his seat
Will pushed him back and thrust his
oar again into his hands, whispering
excitedly:
Look, look! The boats! Can they
be after usp"
An instant's glance showed Allan
two rowboats. dimly visible in the
darkness. and swiftly approaching
them along the shore. The foremost
had already reached such a position
that it would be impossible to gain the
beach without coming in collision with
it. Moreover, it was evident that the
crews of both had discovered the Cor
dons' boat, and that they intended to
cut off its escape. What was to be doneP
Ailsa wrung her hands. "Oh. what
have I done?" she whispered in an
guish. Allan, Allan! I will be disgraced
foreverr
.'That you shall not, Ailsa, my dar-
ling" answered Allan. "But calm
yourself. dearest, and trust to me.
There is only one way. Put in your
best work now, Will. Out to the sloop!'
The two young men bent to their
oars, and the light craft shot over the
water at a speed which it Dor became
evident their pursuers could not equal.
Nevertheless the latter kept on and did
not fall far behind.
A few moments of rapid rowing and
the fugitives' boat swept alongside q
broad-beamed sloop, which lay at
anchor, gently rising and falling with
the swell.
Allan had swung himself on board in
an instant.
Lift her up" Will, he said. STEADY,
now, Ailsa, my darling; never fear that
I'll let you fall. Here you are. Climb
aboard, Will, and let the boat drop
under the stern. All sail, boys. I'm
glad to see you looking alive. Cut the
cable and let the anchor go-what's a
bit of iron more or less7 But, lively,
lads, lively now, if you'd serve Allan
Gordon!"
The crew of the sloop, three stall
wart, strong-limbed young sailors,
seemed to need no urging. Like light
ing the broad sheets of canvas rose in
the air, swelling out, balloon-like, be-
fore the breeze. The blow of a keen
edged Ratchet severed the cable in an
instant and the sloop at once began to
gather way. But now the pursuing
boats were near at hand, and from the
foremost came a stern voice saying:
Lower your sails and let US come on
board. / command you in the name of
the law"
Allan Gordon, whom the light of
the ships lamp now showed to be a
stalwart, broad-shouldered youth, with
laughing brown eyes and clustering
chestnut hair, smiled as he heard the
command, but, without making any
answer, turned to lead Ailsa to the
hatchway. But now there came an
other sterner hail.
"Do you hear what I saye Lay by!
We, are armed, and will fire if you do
not obey"
Poor Ailsa, who had not bargained
for any thing like this, trembled with
terror, and at this Allan's GOODNESS at
once forsook him.
You'll fire, will you," he shouted,
savagely. ''Then do you know what
I'll doP just empty one musket in this
direction, and I'll change my course
and run down both your miserable
cock-shells, as sure as there's a God"
There was a dead silence after that
from the boats, but Ailsa, as she heard
the threat, clasped Allan's arm convul-
sively.
"Allan, Allan! how can you! And
my uncle, tool"
"Your uncle, Ailsa.. Is he in the
boats?"
"Of course he is. 1t was he who
spoke"
Allan's lips gave vent to a long
whistle, but he answered finally, with a
broad smile upon his handsome face:
"Never fear, Ailsa, darling, I won't
have to perjure myself. His men heard
the threat, and that'll do. / know the
Coast Guards. But come, my lassie,
one word to Will, and then I'll show
you your cabin"
In a moment he was again by her side
and led the way to the companion. De
scending the steps, he ushered Ailsa
within the apartment with a grace
which would have become the com
mander of a man-of-war.
Ailsa stopped short, for a moment
dumb with amazement. She had e1.
pected to find the painful neatness Of 8
trading sloop's cabin, but she stood in.
stead within a large and brilliantly
lighted salon, gorgeous with mirror.
and gliding, crimson carpets and uphol
stering.
''This-this vessel is not a-trader,'
she faltered. turning toward Allan.
''Wha is it them" he asked smiling
"a smugglere"
'It is a yacht" said Ailsa trembling
with timidity and fear of she knew no
what.
"Of course it's a yacht" said Allan
leading her gently to a seat.
"Then you are not poor, but richg'
she said, looking at him with somethin,
like dread.
Allan laughed.
WELL, I'm rich enough to own a lit
tie yacht, at all events" he answered
gayly. "But now, Ailsa, darling, be